Sheeting arrangement

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a sheeting arrangement which includes a structural frame work of which portions are in the form of vertical tubular members or pipes which are so constructed so as to facilitate the driving or pulling of the sheeting arrangement without unduly stressing the structural frame.

Unite States Patent 1191 Krings Jan. 7, 1975 SHEETING ARRANGEMENT 3,140,858 7/1964 Westphal 256/24 [76] Inventor: Josef Krings, l-lans-Bockler-Str. 23, 2 D 5138 Oberbruch, Germany 3,750,410 8/1973 Converse 61/41 A [221 Filedi May 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] Appl. No.: 359,516 536,347 11/1940 Great Britain 61/41 A [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examinerj?cob Shapiro June 22 1972 German 2230395 Attorney, Agent, or F1rm-D1l1er, Brown, Ramlk &

y Wight [52] 11.8. C1 61/41 A, 61/49, 52/125,

135/46, 256/24, 403/352 [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a sheeting arrangement 5 M 5 7 which includes a structural frame work of which portions are in the form of vertical tubular members or pipes which are so constructed so as to facilitate the [56] References C'ted driving or pulling of the sheeting arrangement without UNITED STATES PATENTS unduly stressing the structural frame. 2,397,382 3/1946 Smith 403/350 2,922,233 1 /l960 Porter 61/41 A 6 Clam, 5 Drawing F Igures Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3 Shuts-Shunt 1 l I O U O C I I I I Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3 Shuts-Shut 2 Pgtented Jan. 7, 1975 3 Shoots-Shoot 5 ll SHEETING ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to a sheeting arrangement of the type which includes parallel-horizontal profiled frame members, the ends of which are limited by vertical retaining frame members as well as facing sheets welded on both sides to the frame members.

Sheeting arrangements of the foregoing type, as well as other known types which utilize horizontal frame members, especially sheeting arrangements for the sheeting of canals, have the disadvantage that whenever they are to be pulled out of the ditch by means of loop tension eyes attached to their top side, they are exposed to considerable bending strains and are readily subject to deformation.

This undesirable arrangement lead to the consideration of deflecting the vertical tension and pressure forces acting on the sheeting arrangement in their effective directions and devoid as much as possible direct shearing forces.

In accordance with this invention, vertical tubular members or pipes are provided with the tubular members being distributed over the length of the horizontal frame members with the tubular frame members passing through the horizontal frame members and being connected therewith.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of the tubular member with locking members which are useable in the forcing end or pulling of the sheeting arrangement.

In accordance with this invention, loop tension eyes may have rod portions thereof introduced into the upper ends of the tubular members and be secured thereto by means of locking members. The attractive forces occuring during the pulling of the sheeting arrangement are absorbed primarily by the vertical tubular members. In a like manner, advantageously, an additional frame may be provided for driving in the sheeting arrangement, which additional frame may be formed of horizontal frame members and intermediate braces with the frame having pegs on its bottom side which can be inserted into the vertical tubular members of the' sheeting arrangement and be supported by the locking members thereof.

It is to be understood that when an additional frame is provided, the frame functions as an anvil or buffer and it transmits all the pressures acting upon it to the vertical tubular members of the sheeting arrangement. As a result, it will be ensured that the sheeting arrangement is driven into the ground in the direction of its vertical tubular members, that is perpendicular in relation to the horizontal frame members thereof.

It is also to be understood that the tubular vertical frame members offer the additional advantage that they can be used for the scouring of the sheeting arrangement with water or tixotropic fluids, or they may be utilized for the removal of ground water.

In a primary form of the invention, the tubular vertical frame members are pipes which are welded to the horizontal frame members, and the horizontal frame members are in the form of structural forms having either an I- or U- profile.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tubular vertical frame members are in the form of short spacer tubes which are positioned between the horizontal frame members and are welded thereto in vertical alignment with one another. In this event, further vertical members, generally in the form of pipes, will be telescoped within the spacer tubes and pass through aligned openings in the horizontal frame members.

It is further to be noted that in order to save weight, every second, third or fourth horizontal frame member may be terminated at the terminal vertical frame member in lieu of extending to the vertical side frame mem bers.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sheeting arrangement in accordance with this invention with a portion of 21 facing sheet thereof being broken away so as to illustrate the internal construction thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the sheeting arrangement of Flg. l with intermediate portions thereof broken away and there being associated therewith a driving frame to be utilized in driving the sheeting into place.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view on a reduced scale of a modified form of sheeting with a portion of a facing sheet thereof broken away and one of the vertical frame members being shown in section to illustrate the specific details thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view with parts broken away and shown in section and shows the connection between a pulling eye and one of the vertical frame members.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line V--V of FIG. 4 and shows further the details of the connection between the pulling eyeand the vertical frame member.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen from FIG. 1 that the sheeting arrangement is generally identified by the numeral 1. The sheeting arrangement 1 includes a plurality of horizontal frame members which extend the full width of the sheeting arrangement and are suitably connected at their ends, such as by welding, to vertical frame members 5. The horizontal frame members 2 have vertically aligned openings therein and passing therethrough are tubular vertical frame members 4. The frame members 4 are welded to the frame members 2 so as to provide for a rigid construction.

The frame of the sheeting arrangement 1 also includes horizontal frame members 3' which are disposed between the horizontal frame members 2, but terminate short of the vertical frame members 5, the frame members 3 generally terminating at the endmost ones of the vertical frame members 4. It is to be understood that of the horizontal frame members 2 and 3, every second, third or fourth horizontal frame member may be a full length horizontal frame member 2 and the remaining horizontal frame members .may be shorter frame members 3. It is also to be understood that the tubular vertical frame members 4 extend through and are welded to the horizontal frame members 3.

At this time it is pointed out that the horizontal frame members 2 and 3 are in the form of structural shapes and are preferably of an I- or U-section. Normally, the vertical frame members 5 will also be in the form of structural shapes, but preferably will be of a generally C-section. The vertical frame members 4 are preferably formed of pipe.

The sheeting arrangement 1 is completed by facing sheets 6 and 7 which are secured to the frame members 2 and preferably by way of spot welding 18.

In order to facilitate the anchoring and driving of the sheeting 1, it is to be noted that the tubular vertical frame members 4 project below the lowermost horizontal frame member 2. Further, the lower ends of the tubular vertical frame members 4 are cut at an angle so as to define points 17. On the other hand, it is to be understood that the points 17 could be formed separate and apart from the vertical frame members 4 and inserted therein in any conventional manner.

It is to be understood that the upper ends of the tubular vertical frame members 4 preferably terminate flush with the upper horizontal frame member 2, but that the upper ends thereof are open for purposes to be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the tubular vertical frame members 4 are provided in the interior thereof with looking elements in the form of a pair of diametrically opposed half-moon shaped elements 8. These same locking elements 8 are illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is to be understood that the locking elements are suitable secured in the tubular members such as by welding or other permanent securing means.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that when it is desired to pull the sheeting arrangement 1, a plurality of lifting or pulling eyes 9 are associated with the sheeting arrangement. The pulling eyes 9 each have a depending shaft or rod portion 10 of a diameter to be received within the tubular vertical frame member 4. The lower portion of each shaft 10 is notched for the reception of the locking elements 8 and. below the notch portion of the shaft 10, there is a projecting portion 11 which is configurated so that when the eye 9 is disposed 90 from the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the portion 11 of'the shaft 10 may pass down between the two locking elements 8 and thereafter the eye 9 may be rotated 90 so that the portion 11 will lock beneath the looking elements 8 in the manner specifically illustrated in FIG. 4. In effect, the portion 11 of the shaft 10 has two circumferentially spaced shoulders which conform in outline substantially to the outline of the locking elements 8.

It is to be understood that by providing the tubular vertical frame members 4 with means by which pulling eyes 9 may be directly secured to the tubular frame members 4, the sheeting arrangement may be lifted vertically from the driven position thereof without unduly stressing the frame of the sheeting arrangement. By placing all of the pulling stress on the vertical frame members 4, little or no bending stresses are placed upon the horizontal frame members 2, 3 and therefore, no twisting or racking of the sheeting arrangement 1 occurs during the pulling thereof.

Returning once again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that there may be associated with the sheeting arrangement 1 a driving frame which is generally identified by the numeral 12. The driving frame 12 includes a pair of horizontal frame members 13 which are preferably formed of structural shapes. The horizontal frame members 13 are connected together at spaced intervals by intermediate braces 14. Depending from the underside of the frame 12 is a plurality of pegs 15 which may either be separately formed or which may be extensions of certain of the intermediate braces 14. The pegs 15 are of a size to be received within the upper portions of the tubular vertical frame members 4 and extend downwardly from the lowermost horizontal frame member 13 a distance sufficiently to seat upon the locking elements 8.

It is to be understood that when it is desired to drive the sheeting arrangement 1 into the ground, the additional frame 12 is positioned thereon by engaging the pegs 15 and the upper ends of the tubular vertical frame members 4 and thereafter driving on the additional frame 12 with the frame 12 functioning as an anvil.

Since the frame 12 directly reacts on the vertical frame members 4, it will be seen that driving of the sheeting arrangement 1 may be accomplished with a minimum bending forces being applied to the horizontal frame members and the facing sheets.

It is to be understood that inasmuch as the tubular vertical frame members 4 are opened throughout the length thereof, the vertical frame members may be advantageously utilized for the withdrawal of ground water or the insertion of suitable fluids, including tixotropic fluids.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, inlieu of directly securing the tubular frame members 4 to the horizontal frame members 2,3, spacer tubes 16 are inserted between adjacent horizontal frame members 2,3 and welded thereto with there being aligned openings in these horizontal frame members. The tubular frame members 4 are freely vertically movable within the spacers l6 and through the horizontal frame members 2,3.

It is to be noted that the tubular vertical frame members 4 will still be provided with pointed ends 17. However, the tubular vertical frame members 4 will be separately drivable into the ground independent of the remainder of the sheeting 1. To this end, the uppermost horizontal frame member 2 will have mounted thereon suitable conventional driving devices 19 in the form of screw heads or wedge units, etc. for driving the tubular frame members 4 down into the earth and'for pulling the same when it is desired to remove the sheeting arrangement 1.

Although only several preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the structural details of the sheeting arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sheeting arrangement comprising a frame ineluding a plurality of spaced horizontal rigid frame members, vertical frame members secured to at least certain of said horizontal frame members, facing sheets secured to opposite faces of said frame, said frame additionally including tubular vertical frame members extending through said horizontal frame members and secured thereto, at least upper ends of said tubular frame members being open and accessible, said tubular frame members including locking means for releasably securing pulling means to said sheeting arrangement, said locking means including stop members within said tubular frame members for interlocking engagement with pulling means, said pulling means including a rod member receivable in the upper end of said tubular frame members, and abutment means on said rod members passable between said stop members and engageable therebeneath upon rotation of said rod members relative to said tubular frame members.

2. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 1 including an additional superposable frame having depending projections receivable in said tubular frame members open upper ends, said projections being of an extent to seat on said locking means.

3. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein at least certain of said tubular frame members project below said frame and terminate in pointed driving ends.

4. A sheeting arrangement comprising a frame, said frame being defined by a pair of horizontally spaced upright parallel end vertical frame members and by a pair of vertically spaced parallel top and bottom horizontal frame members, said vertical and horizontal end frame members being secured to each other and imparting a generally rectangular configuration to said frame, facing sheets secured to opposite faces of said vertical and horizontal frame members, said frame additionally including tubular vertical frame members between said vertical end frame members extending through said horizontal frame members and being secured thereto, a plurality of other vertically spaced parallel horizontal frame members spaced from said vertica] end frame members, said other horizontal frame members also receiving therethrough said tubular verticalframe members, and at least upper ends of said tubular vertical frame members being opened and accessible.

5. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said vertical tubular frame members include locking means for releasability securing pulling means to said sheeting arrangement.

6. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes stop members within said tubular vertical frame members for interlocking engagement with pulling means, said pulling means include a plurality of rod members each receivable in the upper end of one of said vertical tubular frame members, and abutment means on said rod mem' bers passable between said stop members and engageable therebeneath upon rotation of said rod member. 

1. A sheeting arrangement comprising a frame including a plurality of spaced horizontal rigid frame members, vertical frame members secured to at least certain of said horizontal frame members, facing sheets secured to opposite faces of said frame, said frame additionally including tubular vertical frame members extending through said horizontal frame members and secured thereto, at least upper ends of said tubular frame members being open and accessible, said tubular frame members including locking means for releasably securing pulling means to said sheeting arrangement, said locking means including stop members within said tubular frame members for interlocking engagement with pulling means, said pulling means including a rod member receivable in the upper end of said tubular frame members, and abutment means on said rod members passable between said stop members and engageable therebeneath upon rotation of said rod members relative to said tubular frame members.
 2. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 1 including an additional superposable frame having depending projections receivable in said tubular frame members open upper ends, said projections being of an extent to seat on said locking means.
 3. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein at least certain of said tubular frame members project below said frame and terminate in pointed driving ends.
 4. A sheeting arrangement comprising a frame, said frame being defined by a pair of horizontally spaced upright parallel end vertical frame members and by a pair of vertically spaced parallel top and bottom horizontal frame members, said vertical and horizontal end frame members being secured to each other and imparting a generally rectangular configuration to said frame, facing sheets secured to opposite faces of said vertical and horizontal frame members, said frame additionally including tubular vertical frame members between said vertical end frame members extending through said horizontal frame members and being secured thereto, a plurality of other vertically spaced parallel horizontal frame members spaced from said vertical end frame members, said other horizontal frame members also receiving therethrough said tubular vertical frame members, and at least upper ends of said tubular vertical frame members being opened and accessible.
 5. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said verTical tubular frame members include locking means for releasability securing pulling means to said sheeting arrangement.
 6. The sheeting arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes stop members within said tubular vertical frame members for interlocking engagement with pulling means, said pulling means include a plurality of rod members each receivable in the upper end of one of said vertical tubular frame members, and abutment means on said rod members passable between said stop members and engageable therebeneath upon rotation of said rod member. 